Table of contents for Issue 182 Winter 2018 in Little Treasures

What do you love about photographing newborns? Everything! Their smell, their breathing, their size, the sheer beauty of just being days old. What are the challenges? Working with fussy babies and figuring out how to comfort them. Some need to be swaddled, others really warm. Some like tummy time, others like being on their back. I have a short period of time to get to know this new little being and try to do my work as efficiently and safely as I can. Are there trends? Every season. I have been a photographer for 18 years and I have seen many trends come and go. When I started it was a naked baby on a black background – no props or anything! Now it’s all about organic and natural fibres,…

ASB Bank gifts Starship a million dollar digital waiting room to celebrate their 25-year partnership More than 30,000 children and their families pass through Starship Children’s Hospital Emergency Department each year – and everyone has to wait their turn. To pass the time between check-ups by Starship’s amazing team of doctors, ASB Bank has installed a dazzling interactive digital waiting area with a ‘Magic Forest’ and ‘Starship Animal Checkup.’ Read more at treasures.co.nz NZ Birth trauma website launch A new website has launched to provide Kiwi mums and families with support and reassurance after a traumatic birth experience. This new resource, created by mum Kate Hicks and a team of volunteers, fills the gap in support services. “There wasn’t any information about negative birth experiences – I didn’t even know…

Future Foody Designed by nutritionists and curated by chefs for your baby. futurefoody.co.nz The Baby Bag Organic meals and snacks delivered direct to your doorstep. thebabybag.co.nz Little Angels Baby food using only natural ingredients without any nasty additives. littleangels.co.nz Foodie Babe Premium, homemade and organic food made to nourish your baby. foodiebabe.co.nz RAINBOW COOKIES FOR LITTLE & BIG KIDS ‘I LOVE BAKING’ COOKIES NOW COME IN TWO NEW FLAVOURS: RAINBOW CHOC-MAGIC AND CHEEKY CHOC-NANA. MADE BY ‘I LOVE FOOD CO’, 20 PER CENT OF THEIR SWEET TASTE COMES FROM THE NATURAL GOODNESS OF DATE PUREE. THE RAINBOW CHOC-MAGIC HAS GIANT RAINBOW SPRINKLES AND CHOCOLATE CHUNKS, AND THE CHEEKY CHOC-NANA HAS GIANT BANANA SPRINKLES. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO NASTIES IN THESE PUPPIES. AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SUPERMARKET.…

When Emily Cornwall turned 25 earlier this year her best friend surprised her with a cactus themed cake. Cornwall, the cheerful powerhouse behind Auckland charity Cakes For Kids, was thrilled. “It was so nice. I was like ‘oh my gosh I never get cakes’.” The cake quickly joined her top three list alongside a bright yellow Barbie doll cake and a motocross number with a dirt bike cresting a hill – both made by her mum when she was a kid. “When you’ve got a theme that you really love and it’s got your name on it and it’s all about you, I think that’s so important for children. It’s so awesome that my mum put in all that effort. “My mum actually passed away a couple of years ago.…

• Female couples Treatment options at Fertility Associates usually include either IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) or IUI (intrauterine) with donor sperm. There are two types of sperm donors: personal (from a friend or family member) or clinic recruited. The waiting time for a recruited donor is between 20 and 28 months, so we recommend you talk to us as soon as possible for the best chance. All clinic sperm donors need to exceed normal World Health Organisation values for their sperm at the time of freezing. We then check to see how well the sperm thaws. Some sperm thaws better than others, and this helps us to work out whether it is best suited for IVF or IUI. Simply put, we can give sperm a little assistance during an IVF…

Q When did you become a dad and how’s it going so far? A I became a dad on October 5th, 2017 by my wife Tabitha’s bedside at Waitakere Hospital. How is it going? I thought The Lord of the Rings trilogy was an epic journey. Nothing compared to having a new baby. It’s going great. Q Your son has the same name as you. Quite unusual in this day and age? A Yes, when people ask, “What’s your son’s name, Wallace?” and I say, “Wallace” – there’s a bit of a double take. You see them thinking, “O… kaaay…!” But he’s actually Wallace the Third. My father is Wallace also. Dad was from Fiji, and often in Island households, the firstborn takes the dad’s name. Tabitha suggested it, and…

1 Subscribe to a YouTuber who posts postpartum videos, whether you’re exercising solo or with your tot. We love Blogilates 2 Join a mums and bubs fitness class. Kanga classes improve cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength 3 Walk! Catch some afternoon sun on a crisp winter walk. Meet a friend and grab a coffee on the way 4 Hike! Pop baby in a carrier and head out for a hike. Great for bonding and also for building strength and stamina 5 Buggy Boot Camp. Held in your local park, but this ain’t no walk. A mix of cardio drills, planks and push-ups. But don’t worry, you can tackle this at your own pace…

MANY TIMES I GET asked, “Why is my baby not ‘easy’ like other babies in my coffee group?” Or a parent will say, “My first baby was easy but this one is tricky!” Some babies are easier than others – it is true. Some babies are born more sensitive than others, some have to face challenging health issues and others are born very aware, restless and struggle to adapt to their new world with ease. The gamut runs to quite the opposite with a baby who is born very sleepy, able to settle and sleep well and has what I would describe as a quiet and passive temperament. These children are often labelled ‘angel babies’. Parents often ask what contributes to babies being easier than others. Is it their personality…

Gone is the makeup bag exploding with eyeshadow palettes and ‘just in case’ makeup. Instead, your handbag is replaced with a nappy bag, bursting with wipes, spare nappies, tupperware and a squashed banana. So when bag room is tight and you only get five minutes in front of a mirror, finding that product that makes you feel like your pre-baby self can make a difference. It’s time to invest in products that don’t just do one job – but two or three. Dual action, two-in-one products that take up a small space and work wonders, and most importantly, make you feel ready to take on the playground. Colour POP Prep your base with Bubblegum Lip Scrub by LUSH. The exfoliant and added jojoba oil work to moisturise your lips. With…

The shoes you grab to pop to the supermarket are… A Jandals B Merino All Birds C Uggs, all year round D My Nikes Your go-to outfit for a night out? A A flowing maxi dress B Jeans and a nice top C I don’t care — as long as I’m comfortable D I don’t have time to get changed If you had an hour to yourself, you would… A Do yoga B Bake cookies C Netflix binge D Plan meetings and get work done Your pre-pregnancy wardrobe was full of… A Long, flowery skirts and kimonos B Classic pieces C The same stuff only smaller D Tailored workwear What was the theme of your baby shower? A Beach ritual at sunrise B A high tea – made by you…

WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I loved my parents very much. They were my whole world and the sound of their voices or even their footsteps around the house could bring me comfort. They were security and love, and the feeling of being known. Then I became a teenager, and I hated them. Hated the power they had over me. I hated their desperate curiosity about my world, which to me was far too exciting and exotic for their tiny minds to comprehend. But they still represented security and love. They used to leave money in the hallway so that when I went out, I would always be able to leave any situation I did not feel safe in. I could call a cab and come home. They told me…

I love the expression, “keeping the tins full,” which I think goes back to the war era. I have two young kids and I aim to fill up the freezer with baked treats for lunchboxes (when I’m not too busy). Did you grow up with those sorts of ideas and traditions? Yes, totally. My mother was a home science graduate so she was amazingly well-organised in terms of everything we ate. We had a pantry with about six different biscuit containers and two or three cake and slice tins which were always full. My friends always wanted to swap lunches and come over for afternoon tea. She also did lots of preserving in the summer, bottling jars of fruit for our breakfasts. What freezes well? So many more things than…

“Show and tell bub about some of the 1500 species of fish, turtles, dolphins and rays that come into view under the glass bottom boat. And a game of tag will ensure both you and your partner can snorkel the sparkling sea” Essentials to pack Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, bibs, swim nappies, nappies, changing mat, feeding essentials, baby bug repellent, bug bite soother, water-free hand wash, wipes, disposable bags, spot removal, portable chargers, a few toys/books Once you’re a parent, the recipe for a perfect holiday is simple. Often the ingredients start at sleep and end at sunshine – who wants to spend time and money on a family trip only to return home more weary and sleep-deprived than before you left? It’s impossible to know if the postcard-perfect image…

Allen & Unwin allenandunwin.co.nz Annabel Langbein Media annabel-langbein.com AS Colour ascolour.co.nz ASOS asos.com Babu babu.co.nz Becca Cosmetics beccacosmetics.com Bees Brilliance beesbrilliance.co.nz Benefit Cosmetics benefitcosmetics.com Billion Dollar Brows billiondollarbrows.com Bio Oil bio-oil.com Bobbi Brown bobbibrowncosmetics.com Breastmates breastmates.co.nz Butter London butterlondon.com By Terry byterry.com Cadenshae cadenshae.co.nz Cetaphil cetaphil.co.nz Christian Dior dior.com Citta cittadesign.com Cotton On cottonon.com/NZ Country Road countryroad.co.nz Dermalogica dermalogica.co.nz Duck Creek Press davidling.co.nz Eau Thermale Avène eau-thermale-avene.co.nz Ecostore ecostore.co.nz Egg Maternity eggmaternity.com Eleven Australia elevenaustralia.com Essano essano.co.nz Forever New forevernew.co.nz Freedom freedomfurniture.co.nz Glassons glassons.com Glow Lab glowlab.co.nz Guerlain guerlain.com Hachette NZ hachette.co.nz Harker Herbals harkerherbals.com HarperCollins Publishers harpercollins.com H&M hm.com/nz I Love Food Co ilovefoodco.com Kat Von D Beauty katvondbeauty.com Kevin Murphy kevinmurphy.com.au Kmart kmart.co.nz Lancôme lancome.com LEGOE. legoeheritage.co.nz Levi’s levi.com Lonely Planet Kids lonelyplanet.com L’Oréal Paris lorealparis.co.nz Lush Cosmetics…

1 Dirty or wet clothes from Kindy? Opt for a reusable, waterproof bag. We love the ‘wet bag’ by Mum2Mum. mum2mum.com 2 Invest in a yoghurt maker instead of purchasing countless plastic pots. Make your own with easiyo.com 3 Swap tupperware for a metal lunchbox, made from high quality stainless steel. We love Rover lunchboxes from planetbox.com 4 Beeswax wraps are made from organic cotton and are reusable. A great cling wrap alternative. honeywrap.co.nz 5 Toothbrushes end up in landfill or in our oceans. Try 100 per cent biodegradable Grin Natural brushes. grinnatural.co.nz…

“While being sleep-deprived, possibly hormone-wild and a touch shell-shocked, you have to make some of the most important decisions of your life” New parents on average lose 750 hours of sleep in the first year but, to be brutally honest, the amount that is taken from you by piercing cries in the dark may be even more. Research repeatedly shows that losing sleep is not only bad for your everyday thinking and mood but your long-term brain health. While being sleep-deprived, possibly hormone-wild and a touch shell-shocked, you have to make some of the most important decisions of your life. All while appearing calm, sane and future-employable. Easy. The truth is, apart from keeping your darling fed and safe, getting them to sleep well is your primary goal. Advice will…

1 Go for a massage at the mall No need to book. Great for tired, stiff breastfeeding shoulders. Make sure you tell them if you’re nursing. 2 Nail it Go to a nail bar for a quick mani/pedi. Go for a simple French manicure if you don’t fancy long, shellac nails while looking after baby. 3 Walking on sunshine Download a free podcast app on your phone and go for a walk in the sunshine while your ears learn something new. 4 Drive to the nearest beach and dip your toes in the water or go for a swim. Fill your pockets with sea shells and go home with don’t-care salty hair. 5 Yoga nidra Need restoration but no time to sleep? Try listening to a yoga Nidra, a guided…

Gabrielle Dent, 34, Accounts A friend posted on Facebook that she had made a cake for Cakes for Kids so I looked into it. My son was just about to turn five and it hit home that there were children like him out there who had never had a birthday cake of their own. I love making and decorating cakes for fun and this was a great way to practice my skills whilst giving back to the community. I love the fact that you are giving your time and resources to a child rather than just donating money. I learnt to bake with my mum. I don’t think it’s hard to bake if you follow a recipe to the exact measurements. I have done a few decorating classes but mainly…

One of the first things you'll be asked by cooing friends is, “Have you chosen a name?” Even though you may say something heroic about waiting to meet the baby first, chances are, names have crossed your mind. Whether you’ve come up with a list or just had a fleeting thought that you don’t want to name your child after that kid at school, you’ve recognised the name you give your child is exceptionally important. This was demonstrated by a recent, notable birth. When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced their third child, a boy, would be called Louis there were a few raised eyebrows. Pronounced ‘Lu-ee’, meaning ‘renowned warrior’, it has been suggested the choice is a tribute to Prince Phillip’s Grandfather, Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg, and…

BLAKE OLIVER STEVENSON Arrived on 12 October 2017, weighing 7lb 3oz. “Blake is such a happy little baby with a smile for everyone,” say mum and dad. AMELIA LIN Little Amelia arrived on 1 December 2017, weighing 7lb. “She has been ever so loved and adored by her big brother, Chris,” says mum Amy. FLEUR LUNA JANE PHILLIPS Arrived on 23 January 2018, weighing 7lb 12oz. “Four years in the making and we have our precious IVF bundle,” says mum Tamara. OUR LUCKY WINNER MADDISON AND MACKENZIE POSKITT Arrived on 5 January 2018, weighing 4lb 8oz and 4lb 6oz. “We were excited to welcome two wee identical girls,” says mum Stacey. MACEY SIENNA KINGSLEY Born on 22 January 2018, weighing 6lb 6oz. “Our little miracle! Macey loves listening to dad’s…

IF YOU’VE EVER FOUND yourself fighting with a strong-willed toddler over whether or not they need to take a nap, you will understand that the struggle is real. They are proficient at tricking us that they’re not tired and don’t need a nap. When these stages hit, having some guidelines will not only help preserve your sanity, but also your sleep. A toddler who naps excessively will experience delayed onset of night sleep and have more fragmented sleep. The toddler who drops their nap prematurely is likely to become upset and clingy at bed time. They will then start to wake up earlier and before you know it… hello 5am! Naps will remain a significant part of your toddler’s daily sleep needs, so don’t dismiss them as an unnecessary luxury.…

As a woman, mother and feminist, I’ve got to say that you don’t need makeup. Makeup is not going to increase your intelligence, improve your personality or your ability to parent. Makeup is not going to make you a better person, but it can make you feel better. When you are wrecked through lack of sleep, long hours of parenting and are generally shattered, a little bit of makeup can make you look like you’ve had five hours sleep instead of three. I’m making no eight-hour promises here – that’s magic not makeup! Perhaps makeup is not your thing, and that’s just fine. I’m not here to tell you to wear it. But if you want to wear it, here are a few tips from a pro: Less is more.…

SNUGGLE UP! As a mother it can be tricky to find time to yourself, especially with a newborn in tow. So what do you do when you need time out, be it during naptime or when the littlies are at kindy? Create a cosy nook in your home. We’re talking a corner you can make your own, one that doesn’t change the landscape of your room. It’s a space for you or your partner to take some much needed ‘me time’. Pick an area of your house where the children haven’t invaded. This could be a corner of the spare room, living room, or by the fire. Enhance this space with beautiful textiles, intricate prints, a lamp with a soft glow. Install a shelf or some drawers that hold your…

Weleda Nipple Care Cream Weleda Nipple Care Cream conditions & protects sore and cracked nipples. It is a lightly textured, yet rich moisturiser, designed for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, to help tone nipples in preparation for breastfeeding and provides soothing relief for tender and cracked nipples. The moisturising properties of aloe vera, marshmallow and natural plant oils soften and care for the nipple, while astringent horsetail and nettle tone and condition the skin. Calendula and chamomile calm, soothe and support the healthy renewal of tender, cracked skin, and rose oil provides a delicate fragrance. Natural, contains no synthetic ingredients and cruelty-free. • RRP $29.90 36ml. Available from weleda.co.nz, selected online retailers, health stores and pharmacies. Join PORSE Today Are you at home caring for children and wanting to earn…

1 MERINO LAYERS Merino wool allows babies to stay warm in cool weather and cool in warmer weather. It’s breathable, removes moisture from baby’s skin, and insulates for warmth and comfort. For newborns, start with a merino bodysuit and footed pants or nightie, layered under a merino swaddle. Mokopuna Merino long sleeve shortsuit, RRP $49.95, and foot pants, RRP $49.95. 2 TRY A SHEEPSKIN Instead of a playmat, put baby on a warm, cosy sheepskin near you or where they can see out of the window. You’ll be amazed how much pleasure they get from gazing out at the sky. Little fingers love gripping the wool texture and sheepskins provide a soft landing during tummy time. 3 LAMINGTON SOCKS We can’t get enough of these New Zealand-made knee-high merino socks…

Everyone warns about sleep deprivation before you have a baby but it's impossible to understand until you’re in it: driving white-knuckled down the motorway after a week or two of surviving on catnaps or holding down a job when you’re cross-eyed and hallucinating from lack of sleep. I’d love to know how many car accidents are caused by sleep-deprived parents because I pranged the family car at least twice, not to mention all the times I put my baby son in his car seat before driving off with a takeaway coffee cup (or cellphone) on the roof of the car. To read our seven-page survivor’s guide to sleep in the first year, turn to page 16. We present this guide to you with a disclaimer – there is no magic…

8AM Breakfast at Chocolate Fish Located just out of the city centre for peace and quiet with delicious food and an outlook of the water. Kid-friendly with lots of outdoor space to lounge on beanbags. Children can run free on grassy areas or ride the bikes provided. 9.30AM Local libraries Wellington libraries have sessions called rock ‘n’ rhyme that have nursery rhymes, music and movement and of course, piles of books. The sessions are free and great for tiny tots. 12PM Lunch at Beach Babylon Located along the waterfront and opposite Oriental Beach, Beach Babylon is cool and relaxed with a retro vibe and great for kids. After your meal, take a stroll on the beach. 2PM Wellington cable car Hop on the cable car and shop ‘til you drop…

Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp Gentle, practical and fun, US pediatrician Harvey Karp’s outrageously successful guide is short enough to be able to read in a hurry with a newborn crying in the next room – although we recommend getting started on it sooner. Karp (and our own Baby Sleep Consultant Emma Purdue, see page 64) is a promulgator of the Five S’s: swaddling, side or stomach position (for calming, not sleeping, which should always be on the back), shushing, swinging or rocking, and sucking. The five S’s are all techniques to trigger your baby’s calming reflex, which allows them to naturally drift off to sleep. Each baby will respond to a different set of calming techniques, so you’ll need to figure out which of the five…

“YOU HAVE TO BE THE EPITOME OF STABILITY, OF LOVE AND COMPASSION, AS THAT’S JUST WHAT THOSE CHILDREN NEED”– KIM KIM & KEVIN MCNAMARA live with three of their own children and Luke*, their foster son KIM My journey to becoming a foster parent goes right back to when I was 15. I have always wanted to be able to help a child in need. I have been married for 30 years and have four children of my own, as well as one grandchild. It all began when the ‘Key Assets Fostering Agency’ advertisement cropped up on Facebook and I thought, you know what, I’ll find out more. Don’t get me wrong, I had my worries, but my husband and I decided that we were strong enough and our kids…

Anna & George “WE DIDN’T WANT A THREE-PARENT FAMILY” Anna and Rebecca Magdalinos – George to her friends – met in 2011 and were married in 2016. They have a daughter, Abbi, one. “When we met, we were already on the older side for fertility,” says Anna. “We were realists, and knew what we wanted. We began talking about having children within a year.” “I knew I was going to marry Anna after the first date,” says George. “I also knew the fertility journey was long so there was no point in wasting time. Although I was keen to be a mum, I wasn’t that keen on carrying the baby, so no discussion about that was needed.” “At first, we opted to go on the donor insemination waiting list,” says…

Day 1 You’re here! For everything that has just happened, I would go through it again to have you. You are incredible, strong, so chill and a whole lot cute. You started to arrive on Friday morning. I had a little feeling, but didn’t officially tell family and our midwife until 3pm that day. Your Dad and I went and got vegan ice cream up Mt Eden hill after a walk. He tried to encourage me to avoid the walk, but dammit I wanted that ice cream. By 6am on Saturday the regular contractions that our midwife told us about had been steady for two hours – she told us to stay at home for the rest of the day. We kept trucking along and by 8.30pm Saturday, I started…

SHANNAN ⟶Theo (15 weeks) Each week I set aside a night when my toddler is in bed and my husband is in charge of baby Theo for a couple of hours. During this time, I paint my nails. It makes me feel like a human for a little while. My sisters come over every fortnight and we spend some time watching TV, painting our nails, eating great food and chatting about non mum-related stuff. Initially, it was a struggle to find some alone-time with my firstborn, but the second time round I feel like I’ve adapted. It wasn’t instant – it took a couple of weeks to establish a routine, but now I don’t need to feed him all the time it’s definitely easier. I try to plan my time…

First words: Japanese Illustrated by Andy Mansfield & Sebastien Iwohn Babies will love to point at the beautiful pictures and as a bonus, everyone will learn Japanese along the way. Lonely Planet Kids, RRP $21 Muddle & Mo’s Rainy Day By Nikki Slade Robinson A heart-warming tale of courage and friendship with memorable illustrations. Duck Creek Press, RRP $19.99 The Knight Who Said “No!” By L Rowland & K Hindley Ned the knight is just like every toddler, discovering the joy of saying “No!” and the reaction it causes. Nosy Crow, RRP $27.99 Kakapo Dance By Helen Taylor Dance and sing along with Kakapo and his friends in this read-aloud board book about New Zealand birdsong. Penguin Random House, RRP $15.99 Mind That Child By Dr Simon Rowley An insightful,…

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Painted suitcase art storage Old suitcases – op shops and Trademe Resene Quick Dry Sealer undercoat Resene Lustacryl paint in Resene Alabaster Paint brush 1 Wipe suitcase inside and out with a damp cloth and a little dishwashing liquid to get rid of any dirt and oils that will stop the paint adhering. Dry with a towel. 2 Paint with 1-2 coats of Resene Quick Dry sealer; leaving to dry between coats. 3 Paint with two coats of Resene Lustacryl in Resene Alabaster (white paint); leaving to dry between coats. Teardrop suitcase Resene testpots: Resene Sports Star, Resene Bright Spark, Resene Freelance, Resene Candy Floss, Resene Sea World, Resene Buzz and Resene Ruby Tuesday Sponge – we used a cosmetic sponge Acetate or cardboard, A4 size Permanent marker Nail polish…